WolverineNation had a discussion on who they felt was the biggest surprise through the first 5 games. Their picks were : Elliott Mealer, Quinton Washington, and Devin Funchess. I'm curious to hear who you guys feel is the biggest surprise so far this year? My pick is Funchess, I think he has the makings to be Michigans best receiving TE ever. My second pick is Devin Gardner. We all knew he had the size to be a great WR, but he has definitely surpassed my expectations.
Positive Surprise:
I haven't really been
I haven't really been surprised by Fitz. Every game, the opponent's defense seems to be keying on the RB instead of Denard. I make it a habit to try to make the reads with Denard and they always take contain so on inverted veer, Denard gets to keep and on read option, Fitz gets sent into a line that isn't opening holes for him.
I think that Fitz will have a break out game this weekend or next. MSU, if not Illinois first, will kill on Denard and that will get Fitz open. I fully expect Fitz to have 100 yards rushing against MSU.
I'm not sure you understand
I'm not sure you understand the idea behind this exercise. If I told you before the season started that Fitz would only have 169 yards of rushing through 4 games of action without being injured, would you really not have been surprised???
Obviously now that we have the data from actually watching the game, we can explain why that number is so low, but it doesn't change the fact that Fitz's numbers to this point have been surprisingly disappointing from a pre-season prediction perspective.
When you put it like that,
When you put it like that, sure, but I'd be looking for an explanation like Denard having all of the rushing yards. If you also gave me context in that Denard would have 676 yards of rushing and no one else on the roster would have more than 100 yards of rushing, I'd say, "Oh, that explains it." I also wouldn't have been surprised if one of the younger backs had started in front of him and taken his yards.
I think joeyb is saying that
I think joeyb is saying that yes, it is surprising that Fitz has so few yards on the ground so far, but it's not Fitz's ability itself that's surprising to him. more like the way the offense (& opposing defense) is operating in regards to Fitz.
so ... semantics, I guess. everybody is right once again.
And everyone gets an upvote!
/elementaryschoolandyouthsportsthesedays
Go Blue!
This. Both that he's playing
This. Both that he's playing and that he's playing well.
Everyone thought that Avery would be slotted in if there was an injury at CB. I can't remember hearing anything about Taylor before the season. Yet Avery's remained at nickle corner and Taylor has looked very competent.
This really bodes well for
This really bodes well for next year having Taylor a year of experience when JT Floyd is gone. With Countess and Taylor in the secondary, the only real step back will be not having Kovacs. Man, we're gonna miss that guy.
Victors Valiant
The loss of Kovacs will hurt,
The loss of Kovacs will hurt, but between Gordon, Wilson, Robinson, Furman, Clark, Gant and Dymonte, we should be able to find two quality starters. It's one of the stronger areas on the team. Maybe McQuay will also be in the mix.
The depth at corner will be interesting. Countess, Taylor and Avery will start when were in the nickel. Who's next off the bench? Will it be Hollowell, Richardson or one of the true freshman?
Demens
He looked like he was going to be phased out by Bolden, and he came back strong to put a lock on the MLB spot.
Morgan
I'd say Morgan doing the same thing to Ross is equally impressive
My username is spelled "mgordoblue", but it's pronounced "Throat Warbler Mangrove".
Des
Morgan is an intelligent football player. He was a quarterback in high school and his dad was a head coach so I'm not surprised. I think Morgan is going to be an all B1G linebacker before he graduates.
I like to think that in two
I like to think that in two years when they name the First Team Big Ten Players, for Defense they will just say, "Michigan".
“When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing” - Bo Schembechler
All of those are good.
I think Raymon Taylor is holding up really well for us, and seems to have a nose for the ball.
Edit: Beaten to the punch but glad to see others agree.
"I promise you we would have walked to the University of Michigan." - Brady Hoke
Raymon Taylor does not look
Raymon Taylor does not look timid at all, and that his HUGE for a corner with minimal experience....Cheers to him, honestly.
I figured Avery would get thrown out there, and ehhh.... he's much better at nickel.
Hagerup
Hagerup has all been a very pleasant surprise.
I'll be surprised when....
he goes a whole season without getting suspended.
Honestly, I'm pretty shocked
Honestly, I'm pretty shocked that Tom Gohlston doesn't have 6.022e23 sacks yet.
Harvard: The MICHIGAN of the East
We're not arrogant, we're just better.
Just finished my first
Just finished my first Chemistry Exam last week. Avogadro's Number was on there. This made me laugh :D
surprises
Good: Raymon Taylor, Devin Funchess, Dennis Nortfleet, & Devin Gardner
Bad: Fitzgerald Toussaint & the RBs sans Rawls
Posted from my Dell Venue Pro
"There will be blood on the field and it won't be mine" - K
Norfleet
Can't wait for them to let him return punts, too
Every week I'm waiting for him to break one
You just know it's coming
Janeane Garofalo (Film Actors Guild): "As actors it is our responsibility to read the newspaper, and then say what we read on television like it's our opinion"
Everyone saying this is
Everyone saying this is jinxing it. And everyone - including Beckmann and I think even Musburger in the opener - is saying it. This has to stop and be reversed.
I don't think he's going to return one this year.
Yeah, I'm with you on this
Yeah, I'm with you on this one. I don't know what everyone is talking about. I don't ever think he'll bring one to the house. Not in a million years!
"Wasn't that Michigan drive just great. That's like Patton riding into Berlin." ~Bob Ufer
I disagree with you a little on that.
Maybe after he leaves Michigan he'll return one. I mean, eventually he'll probably get there. But yeah, no way in hell he returns one while wearing a winged helmet. Certainly there's no chance he returns one at a critical point in a big game.
"Coach, if you need one yard, I'll get you three yards. If you need five yards, I'll get you three yards." -Leroy Hoard
Opening kickoff against
Opening kickoff against State. We lead stem to stern.
I know from experience dude. If you know what I mean.
^^^^
I CANNOT wait until they start giving him more touches not only in the return game, but on offense as well. Just get the ball in that dudes hands, and he's going to make some shit happen.
Most Impressive
Schofield not being a
Schofield not being a complete and total liability has been awesome for my blood pressure, and a pleasant surprise
14-13 Michigan! All right, Mr. President!
I was thinking he looked
I was thinking he looked better last year. But who knows.
---
“ The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” — Alan Kay
last year he was at guard
last year he was at guard between lewan and molk so holding his own out at right tackle, while expected, is nice to see
I think the emergence of the
I think the emergence of the Devins has been great. The passing game has been inconsistent to say the least, but the Devins have done a nice job replacing Hemingway, and give Denard a tall, sure handed target to through to. I also agree that Funchess might be our best TE ever, stats and excitement wise, when all is said and done.
The only thing that worries me a little is, if we become to dependent on Gardner as a WR, is there no chance he will be our QB next year? I mean, the dude was a 5-star talent at the position. Seems like it could be a waste, unless Bellomy can handle the job.
Gardner
I'm not sure they have much choice to play him at anything other than QB. Bellomy and a true freshman are all we got, and while Morris is dripping with talent, he's hardly a polished product ready to play immediately.
I wonder how the walk-on QB, Brian Clearly, is looking? Maybe he's a capable back-up for next year. That would be huge for QB depth.
Need Best Playmaker
I have been thinking the same thing about next year's QB. With Shane coming, it's tempting to say "Let's leave Gardner at WR." But then you think about our offense minus Denard, and you realize that we really have to have the best playmaker possible back there. Surely that will be Gardner next year. So we need Darboh and Chesson to get ready for next year. Maybe Laquon, too, although I think we are all tiring of counting on him.
"Football is happening at Michigan... we have that savoir faire." Dhani Jones
Roy
I feel like the biggest surprise, albeit in a negative light, is Roy Roundtree. Coming off a pretty abysmal year, I thought that the coaches would make it a point of emphasis to get him more involved in the game. I thought that the departure of Junior Hemingway would free up some looks for Roy. Also, R-tree had an exceptional 2010 campaign. I thought this season would mirror the 2010 season more than it would the 2011 season. I guess I was wrong....
Being 3-2
I was hoping for 5-0 but was expecting 4-1.
If a frog had wings, it wouldn't bump its ass a-hoppin' - Nathan Huffhines
Q
We were all thinking that if BWC didn't have an amazing year, our DL was toast. I've been very pleased with how Q has performed, and I think he's the biggest reason for the vast improvement in our D Line play over the last few weeks.
"Mattison must break you. Jake Ryan is his tool."
The lack of throws that have
The lack of throws that have been "purposefully" thrown behind a receiver for jump ball plays. I like Denard hitting receivers pretty much in stride so YAC is a possibility.
Good and bad
The biggest surprise was Countess out for the year, not exactly what they're looking for, but probably my biggest surprise.
Anyways pleasant surprises, Funchess & Kwiatkowski (TE's in general), Gardner's ability to play WR, defensive improvement from the first three games (especially the linebackers), James Ross is gonna be sick, and Norfleet.
Surprises that I thought would be better than they are, the O-line, Fitz, Denard's interceptions (only because I thought they'd go down and they didn't, yet), DE lack of sacks, and Roundtree's production.
Strength equipment is expensive and guarantees you nothing. A strong will is free and can give you everything you want.
I said before the season
I said before the season started I could live with 8 ints all year for Denard. He just can't throw another.
All in for some manball.
Additionally, I didnt even
Additionally, I didnt even think Mealer would find a way to start at Guard... Now he is playing Center, and he honestly hasn't been that bad...
Raymon Taylor and Mealer get my nod
Additionally, I didnt even
Double post... So I'll also add that Desmond Morgan has been very consistent the past few games... SO THATS HOW YOU BEAT A DOUBLE POST
the whole defensive
the whole defensive line
Gardner and the receiving group
Norfleet- guy reminds me of Steve Breaston
"The millions, the proud, the Wolverines"
Ryan
Ryan was good last year, but he wasn't this good. Positive direction is happy surprise.
I'm sure Brian is not
I'm sure Brian is not yelling, "Ryan Nooo" that much this year.
Greetings from Bolivia.
"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple." - Gary Moeller
Funchess, in 2 different ways.
By far he's the most surpising. Was not expecting a freshman TE to come in and be an instant impact player. Matter of fact, as much as I like Moore, I wasn't expecting our TE's to be more than a blockers for us this year.
However, the bigger surprise for me with Funchess is how under-utilized he is already. After Air Force, it was clear he's a force on this offense. TE size, but WR hands and almost WR speed. Really hard for any LB or safety to cover/keep an eye on that type of guy. Yet, we haven't utilized him as much as his talent demands. We dial up maybe a couple plays a game where he's clearly the primary target, and the rest of the time, he's a forgotten check down route that Denard ignores. This guy is our next Joppru, lets use him as such.
Honorable mention to John Amos, Jr. (aka Devin), Rawls, Ryan, and Avery (but he's there as a surprising dissapointment).
Avery is a disappointment?
Sorry, I don't see it. In my view Avery is solid and dependable.
"I promise you we would have walked to the University of Michigan." - Brady Hoke
Granted, losing Blake forced
Granted, losing Blake forced this to happen a lot earlier than any of us expected, but I was hoping and assuming that if we did have to plug Avery into corner, he'd make it so we didn't miss a beat. We have. A few deep ones have got past him and then ended up losing his job to Ramon (which may indeed be more a testament to Taylor than a knock on Avery). Ever since his freshman year, Avery's been forced into the fire to play corner and he hasn't really ever made the full adjustment to it. He's a a darn good nickel, but yet again, a bit of a dissapointment (to me atleast) at corner this year.
Devin's pretty amazing, but I
Devin's pretty amazing, but I don't know if he will surpass Bennie Joppru.
"I give credit to God, first and foremost" - Denard Robinson #16
Mealer
Mealer. I didn't have any idea he would go to center. Not only is he passable, he is doing a good job, which is pretty cool, being this is his first year in the position. People forget too quickly what a disaster the beginning of the VT game was when Molk was out. I think that Mealer and Lewan are doing a fine job. If the rest of the OL improves, this will help in many ways. Having a solid pocket allows Denard to pass (think, Funchess pass last game) and getting some push will open lanes for Fitz. All of these things start with Mealer.
The receivers have been much better than I expected, especially the Devins.
The RB's have done worse than expected, especially Fitz.
"It does not matter how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get up." Vince Lombardi
Positive Surprise: Quinton Washington
Negative Surprise: Fitz Toussaint (still hoping he can have a productive 2nd half of the season though)